Travel Agent or on my own?

[shay425]

Hi everyone! I am new to the message board and have a question that I hope someone can help me with. I am planning a trip to WDW in May 2003. Which is the best and cheapest way to plan...doing everything myself or go through a travel agent? I have been to WDW once before but someone else did all the planning. Any helpful suggestions would be appreciated as I am somewhat confused and maybe just a little overwhelmed but I have learned quite alot from just reading these message boards. Thanks in advance for your help!!

 

[4greatboys]

It really depends on what you are looking for in a package. If you want the extra frills that go with the plans then use a travel agent. One good place to look is Expedia. I priced things myself and compared to their Fall Fantasy rates and they beat my individual prices (using ap disc). Our last Disney trip I did it all by myself (but didnt know about mousesavers or any other good disney sites).

 

[sillyminny]

We are doing the same thing this trip. We have used a ta for three years and it has gone just fine. No problems. Now we are doing the same thing all by ourselves.

But read your fine print for sure. Some travel agreements say you are subject to availablity even though you have booked a certain suite.

Just print out everything if you book online. Call the hotel to confirm.

 

[momofdbsdc]

Play around on the net and see what kind of prices and deals you can find. Then call a travel agency and see what prices they can come up with. For a family of seven, I saved a lot of money booking it on my own. But, I also don't mind playing on the net to find the best deals that I can. I also don't mind calling hotels to haggle prices with them. Just make sure that you always tell them that you want the best available rate for that time of year! i had to call numerous times befor eI got the price that I wanted.

Have a fun vacation!

 

[alamashdar]

Just wanted to say

WELCOME TO DIS!


Telia

 

[Dana49]

Welcome the DIS Boards. It's nice to have you! We have been to WDW several times in the past, and for the first time, we are trusting a travel agent to handle our tickets and reservations. We have contacted Sue Pisaturo at Small World Travel Adventures. She is highly regarded by mousesavers.com, so instead of me worrying about getting the hotel discounts, we have left it up to her and her staff. Small World Travel charges you nothing. They make their money on Disney commission. Believe me, it's tough trusting someone else after doing it all ourselves, but so far, everything is going well.

 

[Pigsty333]

Just keep in mind that when something goes wrong, the travel agent is always there for you and can troubleshoot. When you go through Expedia, etc., you're basically on your own.

I am a travel agent and we charge no fees. We try to get the best packages for people. Everyone has a very different budget, where they want to stay, how many days, rental car or not, etc. These are all things you need to take into consideration.

Disney offers many packages, from budget to the all, all out one that includes all your meals, and little extras. It all depends on what you are looking forward and if you feel confident on your own.

They are also offering these prices on tickets. If you are unaware, park prices went up effective 9/8:
PARK HOPPER® AND PARK HOPPER PLUS® PRICES
Advance Purchase Savings
(prices do not include tax)

Multi-Day Tickets Gate Prices Pre-Arrival Price Savings
4-Day Park Hopper® $199 $192 $7
4-Day Park Hopper® (ages 3 - 9) $159 $152 $7
5-Day Park Hopper® $229 $217 $12
5-Day Park Hopper® (ages 3 - 9) $184 $172 $12
5-Day Park Hopper Plus® $259 $247 $12
5-Day Park Hopper Plus® (ages 3 - 9) $208 $197 $11
6-Day Park Hopper Plus® $289 $277 $12
6-Day Park Hopper Plus® (ages 3 - 9) $232 $222 $10
7-Day Park Hopper Plus® $319 $307 $12
7-Day Park Hopper Plus® (ages 3 - 9) $256 $247 $9


Disney's Funshine Package (Code ZWKH)



A Dream Vacation at a Dream Price

This offer is available for travel most nights from 11/3/02 - 12/25/02.


Three-Night Packages from: $315* per person at a Disney Value Resort


Three-Night Packages from: $365* per person at a Disney Moderate Resort


Three-Night Packages from: $419* per person at a Disney Deluxe Resort


For all packages: $225* per Junior (ages 10-17) $179* per Child (ages 3-9)

But hurry, packages must be booked by 9/23/02!

Disney's Funshine Package (Code ZWKH) includes:

Accommodations for three nights at a select Walt Disney World® Resort hotel


The Ultimate Park Hopper Ticket, which provides your clients admission to all Walt Disney World theme parks and water parks throughout their package stay.

These are those other packages I told you about. have fun researching what you want.

Disney's Dream MakerTM Package
Includes accommodations at a Walt Disney World® Resort Hotel and the Ultimate Park Hopper Ticket plus complimentary benefits!

Disney's Dream MakerTM Package - Silver Plan
Start with Disney's Dream MakerTM Package and add two Disney's Magical Wishes features per person per day. Disney's Magical Wishes features can be redeemed for meals, recreation and more!

Disney's Dream MakerTM Package – Gold Plan
Start with Disney's Dream MakerTM Package and add three meals a day, unlimited recreation, merchandise and more!

Disney's Dream MakerTM Package – Platinum Plan
The ultimate all-inclusive vacation, includes Disney's Dream MakerTM Package plus three meals a day, unlimited recreation, merchandise, entertainment, spa treatments, personalized attention and more!

Disney's Dream MakerTM Package – Romance Plan
Start with Disney's Dream MakerTM Package and add a horse drawn carriage ride with champagne and a choice of meals, entertainment, spa treatments and more!

Commemorative 100 Years of Magic luggage tag

 

[zagafi]

I recommend using Dreams Unlimited travel. You'll get assigned a travel agent who will work closely with you to plan your itinerary, make all your PS's for you, and who will check periodically for discounts. Our agent was Carole, and she was great. I highly recommend them!

http://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com

 

[travelgoddess]

Since I am a TA of 15 yrs, I have to say use a TA. Find one who is a Disney specialist in your area. All of the ladies in our office have extensive Disney training, and a true love of all things Disney.

 

[paduncan]

I'm sure the travel agents are the way to go for a lot of people but I've gotten a great deal of satisfaction planning my family's first DW trip by myself! With all the available information via the internet (especially these discussion boards!!), I think that I have been able to make very informed decisions catered to my familys interests and budgetcatered to my family's interests and budget. Admittedly, I have spent more time than probably necessary, but planning has been a blast plus I think I've been able to get some great bargains ($39 DD marriott and $129 teacher rate @ Swan) I initially priced out a few packages but they all seemed to include some extras/frills that we just did not care about. Another thing to consider is the time of year that you are going. Since we are going in Nov., it has been pretty easy to get PS everywhere we want, hotels that we wanted plus great airfares (4 Balto/Wash - ORL rt tickets $525). But if you are going during busy season, this might not be as simple or as reasonably priced. Regardless, I suggest you do some price comparisions on the various disney-related sites such as mousesavers, you'll get a feel for whether your package is worth it! Good luck!!!

 

[cinder1]

We have done everything ourselves. Last Oct after some research my husband found a disc code on mousesavers for the Poly. Our friends who were going at the same time using a TA were booked at the Poly for the same room type and were paying over twice as much for the room. I told her about mousesavers. She called her TA who knew nothing of the discounts. She booked the room herself then canceled the TA booked trip and saved hundreds of $$$. Maybe if you use a TA who is a disney specialist and you want frills of a package, you will be alright, but in my experience, it is cheaper to go it alone. Also, as previously stated, it's a lot more fun to do it yourself (as long as you don't stress).

 

[Mom2Em]

I have to suggest Dreams Unlimited !! I am on my 2nd trip with them~ Tammy is my consultant~ and they are wonderful, free and help support these message boards!! I also have a 3rd trip~ a cruise~ booked with them!! The most important thing is to have fun!! If you are unfamiliar with WDW, I would definitely book with a TA or Dreams...